At a vigil to honor the victims of the Century Aurora 16 theater shootings, the scenes in the crowd spoke to the respect of the moment.

Little girls carried bouquets of flowers. Small boys in scout uniforms stood self-consciously upright. Adults applauded when Aurora police officers walked by. Most had no personal reason to be there, other than to prove that Aurora — sprawling, diverse, complicated Aurora — is a community united following the tragedy.

"I just wanted to come and pay my respects," said Greg Durfee, who said he lives in Denver but considers Aurora to be his hometown. "I think this is the start of the healing."

"When something tragic and horrific like this happens," said Bill Stanley, who, along with his wife, Colleen, traveled from Wheat Ridge for the vigil, "it hurts the whole metro-area region. I just wanted to pay respects to the victims, the families, the police officers, just everyone who had to deal directly with this sad event."

The vigil featured speeches by Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan and Gov. John Hickenlooper, as well as several religious leaders.

Hogan spoke of refusing to allow the tragedy to define the city. Hickenlooper told stories of heroism amid the attack: of an Aurora police officer who drove six wounded victims to the hospital in his patrol car, of a woman outside the theater who used a belt to apply a tourniquet to a stranger's wounds.

"The outpouring of light and love," Hickenlooper said one shooting survivor told him, "is so much more powerful than any darkness."

a gesture of comfort. A woman and her daughter leave flowers and American flags at a makeshift memorial for Friday's victims at Aurora Municipal Center on Sunday. Numerous elected officials and clergy members spoke words of comfort and healing for the victims, their families and loved ones, and the Denver-Aurora community at Sunday's prayer vigil. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

As Hickenlooper read the names of the 12 killed in the shooting, the crowd shouted, "We will remember" after each one.

AnneMarie Rossi of Denver came to the vigil with her daughter Malia, 12, and 9 year-old son Kaden. All three carried signs that read, "One Love Colorado. Share the Love."

"I wanted my kids to come so I could teach them that the only way to fight evil is to do good," Rossi said.

Which is just what Mary Lenhart did as she entered the lawn where the vigil was taking place. She stopped to say thanks to a group of eight Aurora police officers standing nearby.

"They put their lives on the line every day. And what they had to see at that theater is just too much to comprehend," Lenhart said, her voice cracking with emotion. "I just had to let them know how much they mean to everyone. I'm so grateful for them."

Honoring a fellow soldier. Commanding Officer Jeffrey Jakuboski, second from right, and other servicemen pay their respects to John Larimer at a memorial in his honor. Larimer was a petty officer 3rd class in the Navy. His shipmates and commanding officers attended the prayer vigil Sunday at the Aurora Municipal Center to honor those who died in Friday's shooting rampage. (Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post)

Sgt. Steve White, one of the officers Lenhart thanked — and who was among the officers called to the theater Friday after the shooting — said he appreciated the support.

"It's just a senseless act," White said. "These past few days have just been overwhelming."

Kronda Seibert wore a T-shirt with a Batman logo on it. At her feet was a homemade sign depicting a silhouette of Batman, bowing with sunken shoulders in front of a remembrance ribbon.

"There's a little bit of Batman in all of us," said Seibert, who is from Aurora and knows friends of friends affected by the tragedy. "We all have the ability to rise above what has happened to us and become heroes."

Then there was 11-year-old Byron Allen, who held a sign saying, "Real heroes don't wear capes." His mother, Jennifer Allen, said she and Byron go to the movies at the Century Aurora 16 theater at least twice a month.

Where to find help

Need help processing the tragedy? Or do you wish to help out financially? Here are several resources:

GivingFirst.org, a safe and secure online vehicle of the Community First Foundation, is helping those who wish to find nonprofits that are assisting the victims and the families. The featured nonprofits include Aurora Mental Health Center, Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, Mental Health America of Colorado, Bonfils Blood Center Foundation, Metro Crisis Services Inc., Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance and Denver Center for Crime Victims.

Children's Hospital Colorado has opened a family support line, 720-777-2300.

Aurora Mental Health Center offers its support by having trained counselors available by phone, 303-617-2300.

Loved one is mourned. Family members of Micayla Medek, one of the Aurora theater shooting victims, comfort one another at the community vigil Sunday at the Aurora Municipal Center. A crowd of thousands paid their respects at the vigil, some carrying homemade signs decorated with prayers and inspirational messages. (Aaron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)